Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu apologized today to Turkey for an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla. The apology is, of course, the handiwork of President Obama. Indeed, Netanyahu made the call during an airport meeting with Obama shortly before Obama mercifully left Israel.

The apology is a humiliation for Israel, which had nothing for which to be sorry. Netanyahu’s statement — which he wisely resisted making for three years — will not improve Israeli relations with Turkey. Relations are poor not because of the flotilla incident, but because Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, a good friend of Obama’s, is an Israel-hating Islamist.

How much does Erdogan hate Israel? Daniel Pipes reminds us that last month, Erdogan stated: “Just like Zionism, anti-Semitism and fascism, Islamophobia must be regarded as a crime against humanity.” And three days ago, Erdogan stood by his claim that Zionism, the principle upon which Israel is founded, constitutes a crime against humanity.

If anyone should apologize, it is Erdogan — not just for his verbal attack on Zionism, but also for supporting the terrorists who undertook the Gaza flotilla . But instead, thanks to Obama, Erdogan is rewarded with an apology from Israel.

Erodgan/Turkey is the only winner from Obama’s trip to Israel. And he’s the only party Obama wanted to win, now that he has become disillusioned with the Palestinians.

UPDATE: I should add that Obama’s disillusionment with the Palestinians is, in all likelihood, temporary.